What are the differences between Salomon Vs. North Face Hiking Shoes? This comparison will help you pick the most optimal footwear for your needs.
Top Rated Best Budget Salomon Hiking Boots for the money
Top Rated Best Budget North Face Hiking Boots for the money
Salomon Vs. North Face Hiking Shoes: Comparison Table
Both the Salomon and North Face Hiking Shoes offer some great experiences for hikers. With that in mind, you may wonder, “which is better?”
| Features |
Salomon |
North Face hiking shoes |
| Establishment | 1947, Annecy | 1968, San Francisco |
| Price Range | $50 – $500 | $150 – $250 |
| Designed for | Hiking on wet and muddy terrains | Hiking in cold and extreme weather conditions |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons | Decent waterproofness | Higher price range |
The Highlight Features Of Salomon Vs. North Face Hiking Shoes
A boot’s quality is not only decided by its materials and comfort, but also by the price and brand behind it. Users always prioritize the footwear manufactured by reputable and reliable brands.
Therefore I will discuss the two companies’ operations and their product qualities to give you a clear and unbiased look into these two brands.
History
The two footwear companies have a long-established history of making high-quality and premium shoes. Let me walk you through their brief history to gain more insights into their operation and qualities.
- Salomon
The company Salomon was established in Annecy, France, nearly one century ago. The founder, François Salomon, led and built the company to become one of the most reputable outdoor equipment manufacturers in the country.
With the starting point of a small metal workshop, the company slowly shifted its focus to shoes and outdoor equipment making. Their first footwear product was introduced in 1979, the skiing boot SX90.
The hiking shoes of Salomon are notorious for their durability, which can withstand cold and extreme weather conditions. Besides the hiking market, the company leaves its mark in many other fields like skiing, trekking, and climbing.
- North Face
When speaking of the most premium shoemaker brand in America, North Face will come straight to many people’s minds. Its main focuses are clothes like shirts, tents, coats, backpacks, boots, and especially running shoes.
North Face was introduced 10 years later than Salomon. Its two founders – Susie Tompkins and Douglas, founded the company and started making equipment for backpackers and climbers.
In the following years, North Face gradually shifted its focus to skiwear and camping equipment. The advantages of North Face’s products lie in their durability and the wide range of options.
Materials
- Salomon
Salomon resorts to extremely durable and flexible materials like nylon or polyester. These materials provide users with more comfort and ease of movement without sacrificing the shoes’ resistance to environmental factors.
The company also utilizes the Pro shell and GoreTex technologies to provide the shoes with a high level of breathability and waterproofness in harsh weather conditions.
- North Face
Meanwhile, North Face develops and utilizes an advanced manufacturing technology called FuseForm™, which enhances users’ ease of movement and waterproofness.
As a result, their shoes will dry very quickly when you have to walk through wet or water terrains like rivers or swamps. The main materials used by the company are light fiber with very low density.
Fit And Comfort
- Salomon
Take the X Ultra Mid 3 boot developed by Salomon, for example. This hiking shoe will comfortably cover the users’ feet, giving optimal breathability, fitness, and ease of movement.
The shoes also provide users with up to five different design options with distinct features, such as the rubber sole or gusseted tongue. The excellent traction and stability these shoes bring are unmatched by any other product.
- North Face
The most popular hiking shoe manufactured by North Face is the Hedgehog Fastpack II. When wearing these hiking shoes, I feel that it brings greater warmth and coverage than the Salomon’s X Ultra Mid 3.
Because the shoes are designed specifically for sporting and hiking, the comfort and support it brings are very excellent. The cushioning and traction of the shoes are also better, which will facilitate your performance when hiking.
Protection And Waterproofing
Regarding reliability and protection, the North Face’s Hedgehog Fastpack II excels with its Vibram technology. This technology makes your feet feel more comfortable when stepping on pointy objects like rocks or roots.
Meanwhile, the Salomon shoes bring a better hiking experience on wet and muddy terrains thanks to the Gore-Tex technology. However, it still cannot match the North Face’s sporting shoes.
However, waterproofing is a significant advantage of Salomon’s shoes over its counterpart’s product. North Face utilizes DryVent waterproof technology, which doesn’t bring as high levels of waterproofness as Salomon’s shoes.
If you still need more in-depth insights into the products of these two brands, consider watching this video to find out!
Salomon Vs. North Face Hiking Shoes: Which One Should You Choose?
I would recommend the Salomon shoes for walking in wet and muddy terrain due to their excellent traction. This company’s hiking shoes give users more design options with optimal comfort and flexibility.
Meanwhile, the North Face’s hiking shoes lean more towards the “sporting” qualities. If you regularly engage in robust sporting activities, then these shoes will bring the greatest support and protection.
FAQS
If you still need more information about Salomon Vs. North Face Hiking Shoes, don’t skip this section. I will answer all your questions about these two brands to give you more insights into their qualities.
Are Salomon Shoes Good For Hiking?
Salomon’s most favorite hiking shoes, Salomon’s X Ultra, has made its way to the list of highest-quality hiking equipment.
With great protection, traction, and comfort, there’s no doubt that Salomon shoes are among the best hiking equipment on the market.
Do Salomon Hiking Shoes Have Good Arch Support?
Salomon’s most favorite hiking shoes, Salomon’s X Ultra, have made their way to the list of highest-quality hiking equipment.
With great protection, traction, and comfort, there’s no doubt that Salomon shoes are among the best hiking equipment on the market.
Is Salomon A Good Company?
Salomon is reputable for its high-quality and durable sporting equipment. There is not much to complain about its product’s reliability and premium features.
However, textile waste and environmental issues have damaged the company’s reputation in recent years.
What Is Special About Salomon Shoes?
Salomon utilizes super light and flexible fabric materials for its footwear products. Plus, the company also incorporates modern technologies into its product, making them stand out as premium hiking shoes on the market.
What Country Are Salomon Shoes Made In?
The answer is France. The company was established and put its headquarters in Annecy, France. Therefore, it’s understandable that most of Salomon’s products are manufactured in its homeland.
However, the company has moved its market to many other Asian countries for a cheaper labor price. Therefore you can find many of Salomon’s factories in foreign territories.
Are Salomon Shoes Good For Wide Feet?
Like every other footwear brand, Salomon offers customers a wide range of designs and shoe sizes. Users with wide feet will get a comfortable hiking experience with the shoes that perfectly fit their feet.
How Long Does Salomons Last?
The average lifespan of Salomon’s shoe is around 550 to 600 miles. It also depends on how you store and use the footwear. If it’s regularly exposed to cold weather or moisture, then the shoe will wear down more quickly.
Why Do My Salomon Shoes Smell?
Your Salomon shoes might give off a bad smell for many reasons. The main cause is sweat from the feet when you are active for a long time. The built-up bacteria inside the shoes is another likely factor.
To avoid the bad smell, you should store the shoes in enclosed and dry places. Also, hygiene once a week to remove the smelly bacteria.
Do Salomon Shoes Have A Wide Toe Box?
Most Salomon shoes toe boxes don’t come in large sizes. If the wide toe box is your priority, consider the other brands like Primal RunAmoc. It’s known for having the widest toe box on the footwear market.
Can I Wash Salomon Shoes In a Washing Machine?
Either Salomon or any other brand’s footwear should be cleaned in the washing machine. It may ruin the fabric material and color of your shoes. You should only use a toothbrush and clean water to remove the dirt.
